VSU Honors Faculty at Tenure Reception

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University recently honored 26 newly tenured faculty members. 

The award of tenure constitutes permanent status as a member of the university faculty. In order to receive tenure, faculty members must submit a collection of data recording their teaching, research, and service accomplishments. The portfolio goes through an extensive review process before it is submitted to the president for final review.

“Tenure is awarded to a faculty member whose teaching is judged to be superior, based on a number of measures,” said Dr. Robert T. Smith, VSU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Further, to achieve tenure, faculty are also accomplished scholars in their field, as demonstrated by publications, creation of artistic works, presentations, performances, and other activities relevant to their particular discipline. Finally, to be awarded tenure, faculty have a record of accomplishment in service to their department, their college, and the university.” 

Listed are the 2017-2018 faculty members who have received tenure:

• Dr. Karen Acosta, Department of Modern and Classical Languages
• Dr. Neena Banerjee, Department of Political Science
• Dr. Jennifer Beal, Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education
• Ruth Brandvik, Department of Communication Arts
• Jason Brown, Department of Communication Arts
• Dr. Matthew Carter, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education
• Dr. Han Chen, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
• Dr. Jeffrey Cox, Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education
• Dr. Nicole Cox, Department of Communication Arts
• Dr. Kelly Davidson, Department of Modern and Classical Languages
• Dr. Myrto Drizou, Department of English
• Dr. Gary Hackbarth, Department of Management and Healthcare Administration
• Dr. Robert Harding, Department of Political Science
• Abigail Heuss, Department of Art and Design
• Dr. Ubaraj Katawal, Department of English
• Dr. Daesang Kim, Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
• Dr. Serina McEntire, School of Health Sciences
• Dr. Deborah Marciano, Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
• Talley Mulligan, Department of Communication Arts
• Dr. Deborah Paine, Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education
• Dr. Cyrstal Randolph, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education
• Dr. Xiaoai Ren, Department of Library and Information Studies
• Dr. Robert Spires, Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education
• Dr. Regina Suriel, Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education
• Dr. Glenda Swan, Department of Art and Design
• Dr. Benjamin Wescoatt, Department of Mathematics